Director of Youth and Family Ministry - Job Posting
Trinity Lutheran Church, Kutztown, is currently seeking candidates for a Part Time (20-24 hours/week) Director of Youth and Family Ministry. Interested applicants should email a resumé to office@trinitykutztown.com (cover letter optional). Full job description and minimum requirements are below or click here to download as a PDF file.
About Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church:
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (‘Trinity’) is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) located in Kutztown, PA. Kutztown is home to a vibrant and diverse community enriched by the presence of Kutztown University. With a thriving college population and multiple schools in the area, the community provides many opportunities to share the Good News and demonstrate the love of Jesus through meaningful relationships and ministry.
Trinity is an active and welcoming congregation with ministries that serve people of all ages and backgrounds, including Kutztown Kitchen, a monthly free community meal; K–12 youth programs; college ministry; D&D Club; service projects; and opportunities for fellowship, discipleship, worship, and community engagement.
Trinity’s Mission Statement:
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kutztown’s mission is to equip God’s people to do God’s work and bring good news to hungry people.
Trinity’s Welcome Statement:
Trinity is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation. We affirm and encourage the full participation of the LGBTQIA+ community into our church family and ministries. Please become acquainted with our welcome statement here.
Overview:
Trinity is seeking a passionate and faith-filled part-time Youth Director to help nurture and grow the faith of young people in our congregation and community. The Youth Director will cultivate a welcoming and safe environment where youth are encouraged to ask questions, share doubts, build authentic relationships, deepen their faith, and become servant leaders of Christ.
The Youth Director will provide leadership for youth ministries through Bible studies, discipleship opportunities, fellowship gatherings, mission and service projects, retreats, and special events. This individual will lead with compassion, mutual respect, and a strong commitment to creating meaningful connections with youth and their families. In addition to working directly with youth, the Youth Director will partner with parents and guardians as the primary faith educators of their children by encouraging communication, engagement, faith formation resources, and intergenerational ministry opportunities.
Responsibilities:
1.Youth Ministry Leadership
Plan & implement a minimum of one monthly youth group for 1st-5th graders that promotes community through fellowship, games, Bible studies, faith development, discipleship, and service in cooperation with the Youth Committee.
Plan & implement a minimum of two monthly youth groups for 6th-12th graders that promotes community through fellowship, games, Bible studies, faith development, discipleship, and service in cooperation with the Youth Committee.
Work with the Youth Committee and volunteers to create a minimum of two quarterly service projects and 2 quarterly fellowship events for all ages (i.e. volunteering at a food pantry, creating care packages, field trips, game nights, laser tag, etc.).
Select or develop and maintain appropriate Sunday school curriculum for Pre-K through high school.
Work with Lead Minister and confirmand teachers to select or develop and maintain appropriate confirmation curriculum.
Collaborate with parents and guardians to support and reinforce the spiritual development of their children. i.e. providing information to parents to help them develop good faith habits at home, and providing crafts or projects that can help develop better faith relationships as a family, etc.
Assist the Youth Committee in planning and overseeing ongoing Christian Education that promotes intergenerational connections.
Facilitate conversations that encourage critical thinking, exploration of personal beliefs, and application of biblical principles in daily life.
Build and empower a volunteer base to facilitate and help lead youth groups, college ministry, and other youth events.
Provide spiritual guidance and mentorship to youth and their families during times of crisis, challenges, joy, triumph, and life transitions.
Encourage the youth to actively participate in worship services, outreach programs, and community service opportunities.
Organize and facilitate a minimum of 2 special events per year (i.e. retreats, camps, service trips, synod gatherings, etc.) that promote spiritual growth and fellowship.
Coordinate, plan, and attend the national ELCA youth gathering that occurs once every 3 years.
Attend and be involved in worship on Sunday Mornings twice a month, with a willingness to use their gifts in worship leadership as requested by the Lead Minister.
Assist the Lead Minister and Director of Music in creating opportunities for children and youth to share their gifts in worship and celebrate milestones, including First Communion, Confirmation, Graduation, etc.
2. Campus Ministry
Co-lead Trinity’s KU campus ministry with the Lead Minister, approximately once or twice a month.
3. Outreach
Seek to develop ecumenical youth opportunities and work with other local youth groups.
4. Communication and Administration
Meet regularly with the Lead Minister, Youth Committee and church staff to plan, problem-solve, and stay apprised of other ministry events at Trinity.
Create and maintain a youth schedule for the church calendar that can be shared with the congregation and the office staff.
Maintain youth group contact lists and send regular communications about activities, deadlines, and events to encourage participation.
Work with the youth committee to prepare the annual youth budget for the finance team.
Manage the youth budget and resources responsibly, partnering with the Lead Minister and Church council for large purchases and fundraising efforts.
Coordinate fundraising for special youth activities.
Prepare a brief monthly report outlining youth and family updates to the Church Council.
Perform other duties as needed and assigned by the Lead Minister as related to children, youth, and family ministry. Understand that as needs of the church change, the exact nature of tasks may change. At discretion of the Lead Minister, some duties may be eliminated and/or added to fit the needs of the church.
Qualifications:
Ability to teach and communicate tenants of faith effectively to youth of diverse backgrounds, utilizing creative and engaging methods.
Commitment to teach and minister in accordance with the Lutheran Confessions and the teachings and practices of the ELCA.
Must uphold Trinity’s welcome and mission statements (see above), fostering a safe, welcoming, and Christ-centered environment for all youth and families.
Ability to treat youth with the same dignity, respect, and value afforded to adults, recognizing youth as active and vital members of the Church today.
Commitment to personal growth in the Christian faith through worship, prayer, learning, and service.
Possess the administrative, technical, organizational, and communication skills necessary to lead an effective and sustainable ministry program.
Passion for justice, inclusion, equity, and building meaningful relationships across diverse communities.
Willingness to pursue Lutheran-based youth ministry training, continuing education, and professional development opportunities to support effective ministry leadership.
Availability to attend worship and other events on Sundays, and availability for occasional evening events, such as college ministry.
Must be able to pass background checks as required by Trinity, ELCA, and the State of Pennsylvania.
Strongly Preferred:
Bachelor’s degree in education, ministry, or a related field.
Experience in youth ministry, preferably in a Lutheran setting.
Experience with education, counseling, or another youth focused field.
Compensation & Benefits:
Approximately 20-24 hours per week
$25/hour starting rate, negotiable depending on experience
10 days (2 weeks) vacation
Think you may be a good fit for this position but need flexibility regarding the work schedule or other aspects of the job description? We encourage you to reach out and start a conversation with us!